FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS

The document examines the environmental and human rights impacts of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, highlighting their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. It details the structural links between the fossil fuel and agrochemical industries, specifically the promotion of 'blue' ammonia and hydrogen using CCS as a means to secure long-term demand for natural gas. The text warns that this industrial model undermines food sovereignty and planetary boundaries, advocating for a transition to regenerative agricultural models.

• The production and use of nitrogen fertilizers have increased dramatically from 12.9 million tonnes in 1961 to over 123 million tonnes in 2020, with high-income regions like Japan, the United States, and parts of Western Europe consuming 85-135 kg per capita.
• Nitrogen fertilizers contribute significantly to climate change, with their global climate impacts exceeding those of commercial aviation and accounting for approximately 2% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
• There is a deep structural convergence between the fossil fuel and agrochemical industries; of eight leading fertilizer companies studied, seven had past or present extensive links to the fossil industry via board interlocks, ownership, or direct production.
• The industries are collaborating on 'blue' ammonia and 'blue' hydrogen projects using carbon capture and storage (CCS) in at least nine countries, including eight US states, to market fossil gas as a 'clean' energy and chemical source despite evidence that these fuels are as bad or worse for the climate than direct gas combustion.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2022). FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS. 2022. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS |date=September 2022 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2022fossils, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{FOSSILS, FERTILIZERS, AND FALSE SOLUTIONS}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2022}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossil-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions_Executive-Summary_GR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }